https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If you live in Spain or come here regularly on holiday, you’ll probably have noticed that Monday is the day when many bars and restaurants stay closed and you have far fewer options than any other day of the week. But why is this? https://www.thelocal.es/20241015/why-do-many-bars-and-restaurants-in-spain-close-on-mondays Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:47:23 +0200 why-do-many-bars-and-restaurants-in-spain-close-on-mondays How is it possible that there can be such a difference between two neighbouring countries so culturally similar, with related Romance languages and tourism-based economies? https://www.thelocal.es/20231102/why-do-portuguese-people-speak-much-better-english-than-spaniards Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:00:14 +0100 why-do-portuguese-people-speak-much-better-english-than-spaniards Here's how and when in May Mother's Day is celebrated in Spain, and why it owes its roots to religion and a Valencian poet. https://www.thelocal.es/20240503/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mothers-day-in-spain Fri, 03 May 2024 13:37:58 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-about-mothers-day-in-spain Need assistance or support in an emergency or during a difficult time in Spain? Here are the numbers you can call to receive help in English. https://www.thelocal.es/20260428/what-english-language-helplines-are-available-in-spain Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:59:17 +0200 what-english-language-helplines-are-available-in-spain Have you ever had to pay to receive a gift in Spain sent from family and friends back in your home country? Here's what the rules actually say, what is happening in reality and what you can do instead. https://www.thelocal.es/20260423/what-i-found-about-how-customs-duties-for-gifts-in-spain-really-work Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:12:50 +0200 what-i-found-about-how-customs-duties-for-gifts-in-spain-really-work Spain's Digital Certificate is a must for anyone who wants to save time with official processes. However, if your Digital Certificate expires, it's not always a straightforward process to renew. Here are all the steps to follow. https://www.thelocal.es/20220602/how-to-renew-your-digital-certificate-in-spain Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:28:48 +0200 how-to-renew-your-digital-certificate-in-spain If the sky in your part of Spain has turned yellow or orange, the visibility is poor and the air is stuffier, then it’s highly likely it’s calima. But what is this atmospheric phenomenon and is it bad for your health? https://www.thelocal.es/20220315/weather-in-spain-what-is-calima-and-is-it-bad-for-you Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:05:31 +0100 weather-in-spain-what-is-calima-and-is-it-bad-for-you Recently moved house and looking to furnish your new home in Spain? Here's where to look for furniture beyond the likes of Ikea. https://www.thelocal.es/20250722/more-than-ikea-where-else-to-buy-furniture-in-spain Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:01:15 +0200 more-than-ikea-where-else-to-buy-furniture-in-spain The clocks are changing again at the end of March in Spain, and the endless debate over scrapping daylight saving rages on. https://www.thelocal.es/20260326/when-do-the-clocks-change-next-in-spain-in-2026 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:02:11 +0100 when-do-the-clocks-change-next-in-spain-in-2026 While the British are famous for their love of forming orderly lines, the stereotype from abroad is that Spaniards are impatient and incapable of queuing properly. Here's why foreigners have it all wrong. https://www.thelocal.es/20220331/are-spaniards-really-that-bad-at-queuing Thu, 31 Mar 2022 12:18:24 +0200 are-spaniards-really-that-bad-at-queuing Cross-cultural relationships are as interesting as they are complex. Here are some of the ten most common moans foreigners have when talking to their Spanish partners. https://www.thelocal.es/20220804/ten-common-complaints-foreigners-make-to-their-spanish-partners Thu, 04 Aug 2022 11:03:29 +0200 ten-common-complaints-foreigners-make-to-their-spanish-partners If you're leaving Spain for good or for a long period of time, then you will need to make sure that you deregister before you leave, essentially giving up or renouncing your Spanish residency. Here's how to do it. https://www.thelocal.es/20220408/reader-question-how-do-i-deregister-my-spanish-residency Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:26:18 +0200 reader-question-how-do-i-deregister-my-spanish-residency Whether it be education, health or overall happiness, this little-known autonomous community of Spain consistently ranks as the region with the best quality of life in the entire country. https://www.thelocal.es/20240904/why-navarra-is-the-region-with-the-best-quality-of-life-in-spain Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:14:27 +0200 why-navarra-is-the-region-with-the-best-quality-of-life-in-spain What happens to a person's bank account in Spain when they die? Here are all the steps you need to follow to avoid potential problems with Spanish banks when closing a deceased person's accounts and how it's linked to inheritance laws. https://www.thelocal.es/20210826/how-to-avoid-problems-with-a-loved-ones-spanish-bank-account-when-they-pass-away Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:55:31 +0200 how-to-avoid-problems-with-a-loved-ones-spanish-bank-account-when-they-pass-away If you’re buying a second-hand vehicle in Spain from a private seller, there’s a big chance you’ll have to do the hard bargaining and scrutinising in Spanish, so here are nine questions to help you with the process. https://www.thelocal.es/20241022/9-questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-second-hand-car-in-spain Tue, 22 Oct 2024 09:18:51 +0200 9-questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-second-hand-car-in-spain From what to wear to what to order, we've got the tips to help you blend in like a local as the mercury drops across Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20210107/eight-ways-to-tackle-winter-like-a-spaniard Thu, 07 Jan 2021 15:59:24 +0100 eight-ways-to-tackle-winter-like-a-spaniard Many foreigners who move to Spain are surprised by just how freezing Spanish winters can be, but they're equally shocked by how sometimes it's colder inside their homes than outdoors. https://www.thelocal.es/20211104/why-are-spanish-homes-so-cold Thu, 04 Nov 2021 09:42:59 +0100 why-are-spanish-homes-so-cold If you're already planning ahead to 2026, here are all the official public holidays and some key tips to help you maximise the amount of time you take off from work. https://www.thelocal.es/20251031/when-are-all-the-public-holidays-in-spain-in-2026 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:44:19 +0100 when-are-all-the-public-holidays-in-spain-in-2026 Today is as good a day as any to be grateful that you live in 'España'. If you need a reminder of why, here are some very positive and life-affirming reasons for everyone. https://www.thelocal.es/20241106/12-very-good-reasons-to-be-happy-you-live-in-spain Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:01:01 +0100 12-very-good-reasons-to-be-happy-you-live-in-spain The Andalusian village of Bérchules will not be celebrating the end of 2023 at the same time as everyone else, instead they will have their countdown and grape-eating in early August. Here's the fascinating reason why. https://www.thelocal.es/20211230/why-this-spanish-village-celebrates-new-years-eve-in-august Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:23:34 +0100 why-this-spanish-village-celebrates-new-years-eve-in-august